What's So Funny?
Russell Gayer, author speaker
Where’s Waldo
Today’s post is inspired by the photo below, provided by Madison Woods. Be sure and visit her blog http://madisonwoods.wordpress.com/ each Friday to enjoy her 100 word #Flash Friday story. Read the comments and follow the links to other stories ranging from excellent to sublime.
In today’s episode, Clem and Lester are enjoying the beautiful fall foliage.
Let’s listen in . . .
“You see that orange leaf up there?”
“Which one? There’s thousands of orange leaves up there.”
“That one right there. The one with the funny shape. Kinda looks like a heart, but with a notch tore out of the bottom.”
“I still don’t see it. What’s it located next to?”
“It’s right between them other two orange leaves, about half-way out that limb.”
“Has it got black spots on it, and a short stubby stem?”
“Yeah! Do you see it now?”
“No.”
“Right there! It’s the one wigglin’ in the breeze?”
“That’s not a leaf, you idiot. That’s a butterfly!”
Thanks Living
I plagiarized the title of today’s post from last Sunday’s sermon. Bro. Frank expounded all the reasons we should be thankful every single day of the year, not just on Thanksgiving.
He’s absolutely right. That’s why I keep the words ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE posted on my dry-erase board year round. It reminds me that I’m extremely blessed—and not just a little bit—but abundantly. Not only are all my basic needs met, I have enough extra to buy a few toys.
This time of year I like to get out my Russell & Connie action figures (not sold separately) and conjure up a few hunting adventures. These daredevils of the outdoors tackle enormous challenges and hardships in search of big game. Unlike me, they never come home empty-handed.
Their hunt may be long and hard, the terrain rough and treacherous—full of viscous beasts and beset with danger. Yet somehow, between wrestling angry alligators and extracting a decayed tooth from the mouth of a twelve-foot grizzly, they still have time for a few moments of tender passion.
Am I lucky or what? I’ve been blessed with good health, a multitude of great friends, and the love of a good woman. What more could any man want?
Thank you, Lord. And Happy Thanksgiving to all! God Bless You!
Housekeeping Hints
Women live under a lot of pressure. There’s a high level of expectation as to how the home should be kept and decorated. From what I can tell, the cleanliness bar is set (and periodically readjusted) by one’s peers.
The best way to attain a passing grade from judgmental guests is to serve good wine—and plenty of it. Minor imperfections such as dirty dishes, clothes in the floor, and black-velvet paintings become insignificant dust bunnies bouncing harmlessly in the cozy confines of your humble abode.
You may think its bad now, but it was even tougher back in the old days. Cave women didn’t always good wine and liquor stores had not yet been invented. What’s a girl to do? Ugla is coming by this afternoon and the place is a mess. Dar’s loincloth is on the kitchen floor, cobwebs dangle from the stalactites, and the kids don’t look like they’ve had a bath in three moons. That Neanderthal witch will tell every woman within a two-day walk what a terrible cavekeeper you are.
Thankfully, your copy of Good Cavekeeping magazine arrived yesterday and you can keep Ugla occupied by discussing exciting new recipes for charred meat, roots, and wild berries.
If you’re still afraid she’ll badmouth your cave, hit her in the head with a rock. It works every time.
Golden Ghost Flower
The following 100-word Friday Flash Fiction is based on the photo prompt provided by Madison Woods. Visit her blog at
http://madisonwoods.wordpress.com/ to read her flash fiction for today and find links to other authors participating in this weekly event.
“What’s that?” Baxter asked.
“How should I know? Do I look like a botanist?” I replied
“No, you look like a smart-ass, and you smell like one too.”
“Well, it’s obviously a plant of some sort, maybe a flower.”
“You don’t reckon it’s an aphrodisiac do you?”
“Why don’t you eat it and find out? I’d enjoy watching you howl at the moon all night and running wild like you were chasing a bitch in heat.”
Baxter bent low and sniffed the plant. “It might be poisonous.”
“Could be,” I replied. “Let’s just hike our legs and mark it.”
Money Talks—an interview with Benjamin Franklin
Today’s guest is Founding Father, noted author, inventor, printer, and much quoted world traveler, Benjamin Franklin.
RG – Mr. Franklin, welcome to What’s so Funny? Our nation is going through a difficult economic period right now. You have a reputation for being very frugal. What advice do you have for the American people to help them cope with inflation and high unemployment?
BF – Thank you, Russell. I went through some tough times myself, especially as a young man. I wrote volumes of one-liners, proverbs if you will, on the importance of fiscal responsibility. People used to follow my advice and live comfortably. Today, too many Americans overextended themselves. They think the word “save” means buying at a reduced rate. One woman I knew went to so many shoe sales that she saved until she was broke.
RG – So, we should all adhere to the “penny saved is a penny earned” adage, is that what you’re saying?
BF – Absolutely, except now, with the devaluation of our currency and the fact that it costs more than one cent to make a penny, I’m rephrasing the quotation to say, “a Benny saved is Benny earned.”
RG – I know you have some interesting opinions regarding religion. Do you ever attend church?
BF – Occasionally I’ll visit a church, but you’ll never see my face in the offering plate. George will be stacked ten-deep in there, a few Abes, one or two Hamiltons, and maybe a Jackson on Easter. Ulysses and I stay parked firmly in the wallet until we get to Walmart or the liquor store.
RG – I’ve seen the T-shirt with your quote about beer and God. How does that go again?
BF – That was a misquote. People steal your words and twist them to make a few dollars for themselves. What I actually said was, “Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into wine, a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.” It means the same thing, but won’t fit on a T-shirt.
RG – Much has been made of your affection for the ladies, especially during your time in France while raising funds to support the revolution.
BF – Yes, I’ve been labeled a womanizer when in fact I was more of a flirt and a tease. Women control 90% of the money and 100% of the sex. Raising money for a fledgling country that might fail was not easy. The only way to get the money was through the women. In times of war, men are called upon to make sacrifices for their country. I did what I had to do.
RG – So, you were an eighteenth century James Bond?
BF – Exactly! Why do you think my picture is on the one-hundred dollar bill?
RG – Thank you, Mr. Franklin, for making time for this interview. I’m going to put you back in my wallet until we get to Walmart or the liquor store.
The Ice Woman Cometh
Here’s my 100-word Friday Flash Fiction based on the photo prompt below by Madison Woods. Visit her blog http://madisonwoods.wordpress.com/ to read her story and find links to other author’s submissions within the comments.
Dan could barely keep his eyes on the road. The sun peeked over the horizon and bounced playfully from one tree to another, illuminating the mountain. Brilliant reds, oranges, yellows flashed neon against an azure sky. The forecast called for mid-seventies and sunny.
Carolyn had been quite playful this morning, teasing about some “big surprise” she had in store. The workday lasted forever.
What happened? His driveway looked like a war zone. Icy limbs draped their hideous arms over the narrow drive and tore at the paint on his car.
Carolyn’s smile greeted him at the door. “Surprise! Mother’s here!”
Harassment & Discrimination
The company I work requires annual Harassment and Discrimination training for ALL employees. Today, I will cover some of the key points of this training for those of you who are not exposed to this information on a regular basis.
Most of us have had some experience with harassment, either as a donor or recipient. Problems arise when we don’t treat everyone the same. That’s when discrimination raises its ugly head.
Let’s say you know someone who has a cheerful attitude, a smile as wide as Texas, and is a joy to be around—they may even be easy on the eyes. This person is fun to harass, tease, and embarrass in public. They are trusting souls, gullible, and naïve. You give them a double-dose of harassment at every available opportunity.
You also know an individual who is a hateful sourpuss or a crusty old curmudgeon (like me, for instance). This person sees the black side of every silver-lined cloud and would find something to bitch about if they won a 200 million dollar lottery.
Do you frequently harass this individual?
If the answer is No, then you, my friend, are guilty of discrimination. You have just opened yourself up to possible litigation. That ornery old cuss you’ve been going out of your way to avoid could take your home, car, and all the toys in the second drawer of that nightstand by your bed.
That’s why it’s so important to receive proper training and become an Equal Opportunity Harasser. Our courts are backlogged with cases of homely spinsters suing their boss because he sexually harassed every girl in the secretarial pool except them. Don’t let this happen to you!
If you harass one—harass ‘em all. Not only is it morally and ethically the right thing to do . . . it’s the law.
Blown Throne
Uncle Claude had a beautiful outhouse. Maybe not as elegant as the two story variety that Grandpa said the politicians in Washington, DC used, but without a doubt the fanciest building for its purpose between New York and San Francisco.
It was erected on a concrete slab over what appeared to be a bottomless pit. A six panel wood door with a glass knob provided access to what Grandpa proclaimed as the “the King of all Crappers.”
Richard lit the fuse and dropped the stick into the bottomless pit. Within seconds, he and Clifford fully understood the phrase about the fan.
Funny is as Funny does
Humor is a funny thing. A joke that doubles one person over with laughter may not be even mildly amusing to another. It’s not that they don’t get it—it’s just not funny to them.
In his writers’ forum, Patrick McManus http://www.patrickfmcmanus.com/ warns us that editors are afraid of humor. The rejection letter may state that they laughed until tears rolled down their cheeks—but, sorry—it is not a good fit for our publication at this time. Good luck placing it elsewhere.
The truth is everyone loves humor, but nobody wants to pay for it. In fact, even giving it away can be difficult. Reminds me of the old Henny Youngman joke, “That my wife . . . please!”
I guess this explains why comedies never win an Oscar for best picture. While discussing the virtues of Dumb and Dumber, I had a young lady tell me it was an “insult to her intelligence.” Perhaps a remake entitled, Smart and Smarter, would bring a full scale “assault” on her intelligence.
Now, I want you to put on your memory hat (no, not the beanie with a propeller on top) and tell me;
- What’s your all-time favorite comedy movie
- Your favorite comedian or humorist
- Which “People of Walmart” photos you find most disgusting
No cheating. Keep your eyes on your own monitor. Scores on this test will count for half of your grade this semester. Good luck.
Twu Woemance
Max blew a deep, warm breath into a cupped hand and buffed the marble against his flannel shirt. This was his most prized possession, a gift passed down from Grandpa Wilson. It wasn’t really a marble at all, just a perfectly round stone embedded with tiny crystals and multi-colored swirls of turquoise and corral. Grandmother said it held magical powers.
Max found Cecelia under their favorite tree, where he’d carved their initials inside a heart last week.
“I have something for you,” he whispered, placing his hand in hers.
She opened her palm. “Oh great, a freakin’ rock. How woemantic.”
Purchase ‘One Idiot Short of a Village’
Purchase ‘The Perils of Heavy Thinking’
What's So Funny? 